Because you are using a short code, I would try un-activating the theme and re-activating it, replacing the short code in the process.

- switching to the Twenty Eleven theme to rule out any theme-specific problems.

If the short code that he wants to use is only available for his certain theme, switching to Twenty Eleven will not fix the short codes, as Twenty Eleven does not have them.
Hfuller, why don't you try out this plugin as a replacement to your short code:http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/social-media-page/